Khamphaeng Phet Historical Park

The Ping River courses through the KamphaengPhet Park, a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site which is comprised of a diverse array of ancient monuments. A common aesthetic runs through the various ruins, which include temples, pagodas and fallen towns, resulting in a beautiful blend of contemporary Sukhothai and Ayutthaya styles. Also noteworthy is the variety of materials used at each site: the eastern bank is home to larger architecture built with laterite in contrast to the smaller, brick-made monuments in the west bank’s Nakhon Chum town. The ruins of city walls and ancient fortifications reveal the town’s rectangular shape, some 300-700 meters wide and 2,200 meters long. The principal Chedi (or stupa) of WatPhraKaeo stands proud in its center, adorned with lions. Nearby, other majestic Chedis stand guard. More historic sights are located at the Aranyik Area, 2 kilometers northwest of KamphaengPhet town, an important place for forest-dwelling monks to meditate and reflect. The park is approximately 5 kilometers away from KamphaengPhet town at Km. 360, on the left of KamphaengPhet-PhranKratai route. The park is open from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission is 100 baht a person and an additional fee of 50 baht a car will be charged for visitors driving a personal car. For more information, call 0 55854736-7.